Subscribe to the NCSA BlogSummer Camps, Almost Here!
May 7th, 2009 - byAttention all underclassmen: Summer camps are right around the corner! This is the best opportunity to perform in front of college coaches and generate interest at the next level. Due to several NCAA rules that prohibit college coaches from evaluating student-athletes, summer camps have been a hotbed for college recruiting nationwide. Did you know that other schools may attend one summer camp? That’s right! This could be a prime opportunity for you to compete in front of a large crowd of coaches which can increase your odds of getting recruited! I have added some quick tips that can help you perform at your best this camp season:
1. Be well rested!
Don’t drive long hours and then stumble into camp. Try to get there the night before. Walk around the facility if possible and get acquainted with your surroundings. Get a good nights rest, proper meals, and most important be hydrated!
2. Perform at your best!
Understand you are being evaluated from to the time you set on foot on campus until the time you leave. From the time you start stretching until you break the final huddle, college coaches are watching your every move. My advice is giving 100% on every drill! Sprint from station to station and show these coaches you are serious about playing at the next level.
3. Reps, Reps,Reps!
Getting to camp is a critical event in your recruiting efforts!
One of the biggest problems I see at camp is student-athletes not getting enough reps. Word to the wise: Take every rep as an opportunity to perform! The more reps the more opportunities you have to get evaluated. Have fun out there and understand this is your time to shine!
4. Build Relationships
Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to coaches after camp. Student-athletes who get out of their comfort zone tend to make a great first impression with a college coach. Shake hands and thank him for the opportunity. Have a copy of game and highlight film if available and be sure to follow up with the coach after the event. It can make a world of difference by just doing to the small things.
5. Be well rested (not a typo)!
That’s right student-athletes, I can’t stress enough how important it is to get proper rest in between camps. I see it time and time again when a student-athlete goes from one to camp to another without proper rest. You never know what school may be the most interested. Poor performance from lack of rest can seriously hinder your opportunities of getting recruited. Proper rest, big meals, and fluids are highly recommended!
Summer camps are where college coaches may find student-athletes who have the potential of being the right fit. Take these quick tips with you to camp and generate some serious buzz about yourself!
May 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I would add, that it’s easier to shake hands with those college coaches if you’ve already had phone conversations with them. So find out the names of all of the college coaches attending the camp you’re going to. Introduce yourself to them prior to arriving via telephone. To make the most of your first impression, make sure you, the student-athlete, are doing the calling. Do not have mom or dad call college coaches for you.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Matt,
This is a well written article that will hopefully improve a HS players chances at getting recruited. I think one area that you may want to address is having kids attend camps at schools that they not only want to play in college but more importantanly camps at schools they have the ability to play at. While going to a camp at a D-1 can be a good experience for the kid, if he onlly has D-2 ability it may suit him better to attend a camp at a D-2 school or at least a camp that he knows D-2 coaches will be in attendance. He’ll still receive a high level of coaching and he’ll gain exposure that will actually help his chances of getting a scholarship.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Please keep in mind, that although its important to increase your chances at being recruited, don’t lose sight of why you are playing football. Team camps are the best approach for all highs chool athletes. It gives you the ability to serve your team first and yourself second. Team building and bonding is a critical component to a successful program. If you can find a team camp with many different college coaches from various levels D1a, D1aa, D2, D3 and Juco, then you will have served all of your teammates who have an interest in playing at the next level. Winning in this highly competitive environment is not easy. Keeping your team together over the summer is a major stride in building a successful high school program. It also helps athletes show better then when in a renegade offense or defense.
May 12th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Will the Sponsor of the Camp/Combines provide a list of College coachs/schools attending their camp? How do you find out who will be attending the summer camp(s) before you go?
May 13th, 2009 at 8:45 am
How can i find a camps bye me !!!! for track !!
May 13th, 2009 at 8:59 am
There will be a track camp this summer @ UGA. You can go their website for more info. http://www.georgiadogs.com
May 13th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Jeremy,
My best advice to find out what schools are going to be attending camps is to communicate with the Recruiting Secretary or Recruiting Asst. at the school(s) of possible interest. This way you can perform in front of several coaches. I hope this helps.
May 13th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Will they Be a list of college coaches and where can i find the nearest football camp?
May 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Could you alert me when the sumer track program start and what I would need the first day.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Jermaine,
My advice is to research some school’s websites in your region and find what their summer camp schedule is looking like. If you are a junior you will be needing to attend their one day camp if available. College summer camps is one of the best ways to get exposure for your recruiting!
May 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am
can you me when the soccer camp is, and where is going to be? Where can i find the nearest soccer camp?
May 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
can you tell me when the soccer camp is, and where is going to be? where can i find more about the soccer camps?
May 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Laquan,
Your best bet to find a track camp by you is looking at the colleges website to see if they offer a camp.